May 5, 2015
Dear Parents/Guardian:
According to a 2004 study (McGill-Franzen and Allington), summer vacations, on average, “create an annual
reading achievement gap of about three months,” which means by the end of high school, a student could a
performance gap of up to 24 months compared to students who read during the summer. This study also
suggests that if a student read four to five books over the summer, this gap could be prevented. To help
maintain the gains students make over the school year and avoid a slip in reading comprehension, we are
asking students to read TWO books of their choice over the summer and record these books in a data
sheet that will be turned in during the first week of school.
The two books students read are an individual decision based on parental approval and should be at an
appropriate grade level. In addition to the two self-selected, if you would like your student to get ahead on the
reading list for next year, juniors will be reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Things They
Carried by Tim O’Brien. Juniors may also be reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain.
The Pikes Peak Library District also has many book recommendations, as well as a teen summer reading
program that rewards students with different prizes for reading books.
Thank you for your help in making Fountain-Fort Carson High School successful. If you have any questions,
please e-mail Mr. Lamb at [email protected].
Thank you!
Five possible books I might like to read this summer:
1.___________________________________________________
2.___________________________________________________
3.___________________________________________________
4.___________________________________________________
5.___________________________________________________
CUT--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------High School Summer Reading Assignment – Please return to your Language Arts teacher by May 16th, 2014
__________________________________________
Student Name
Five possible books I might like to read this summer:
1.____________________________________________
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Name
2.____________________________________________
3.____________________________________________
__________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature
4.____________________________________________
5.____________________________________________
PIKES PEAK LIBRARY DISTRICT
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You can get your FREE library card from any Pikes Peak Library District location and use it to check
out and return items.
Picture ID with your current address is required to get a card.
To be eligible for a resident library card, you must live within the Pikes Peak Library District, which is
most of El Paso County, except for Manitou Springs and Security/Widefield.
A minor accompanied by a parent/guardian may be issued a card upon presentation of PPLD library card
or alternate verification of address from the parent/guardian. If parent does not have verification of
address, card will then be blocked.
A minor unaccompanied by an adult may be issued a card. The minor will be allowed a one-time check
out of three items. The card will be blocked until verification of address. A welcome letter from the
Library Director and the library card will be mailed to notify the parent/guardian that a card has been
obtained and to verify address.
Fountain Library
Address:
230 South Main Street
Fountain, CO
80817
Phone: (719) 382-5347
Hours:
Monday - Thursday: 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
CHALLENGE YOUR STUDENT
The website for Lexile has a search engine devoted to finding reading suggestions for different grade levels. You can
challenge your student to read more difficult material by typing in his or her age. The website is also good for finding
book suggestions for different interests. For more information, go to
http://www.lexile.com/fab/
The website Good Reads also has many recommendations for 11th Graders:
http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/11th-grade
Student Name:___________________________________
Book Information:
Due Friday, August 21, 2015
Biographical Information about the Author:
Title: _________________________________________
Author: _______________________________________
Date of Publication: _____________________________
Genre: ________________________________________
Total Pages:____________________________________
Summary of the Book (in your own words):
Favorite Character and Why:
Memorable Quote and Page Number:
What did you like or not like about your book? Explain (5 sentence minimum):
Book Information:
Biographical Information about the Author:
Title: _________________________________________
Author: _______________________________________
Date of Publication: _____________________________
Genre: ________________________________________
Total Pages:____________________________________
Summary of the Book (in your own words):
Definition of a New Vocabulary Word:
Memorable Quote and Page Number:
What did you like or not like about your book? Explain (5 sentence minimum):
Parent or Guardian Signature: